Wladimir Klitschko vs Kubrat Pulev preview and prediction

Here’s my Wladimir Klitschko vs Kubrat Pulev preview and prediction. This fight will happen on Saturday night at the O2 World Arena, Altona, in Hamburg, Germany. Klitschko will defend his heavyweight crown against undefeated Kubrat Pulev of Bulgaria.

The 38 years old Wladimir Klitschko (62-3, 52 KO) of Kiev, Ukraine defended the heavyweight crown seven times since unifying four alphabet belts in 2011.

Here’s a quick look at a timeline when Wladimir Klitschko collected four alphabet belts.

• 2006 – Won the IBF and IBO world heavyweight title by stopping Chris Byrd in Round 7.
• 2008 – Added the WBO world heavyweight title by a unanimous decision victory over Sultan Ibragimov.
• 2011 – Added the WBA super world heavyweight title by a unanimous decision victory over David Haye.

The 6′ 6″ giant from Ukraine, and the younger of the Klitschko brothers also crowned the heavyweight champion by the Transnational Boxing Ranking Board after defeating number one contender, Alexander Povetkin in 2013.

The Klitschko brothers have been ruling the heavyweight division. The older Klitschko, Vitali, retired in December to pursue a political career and elected Mayor in Kiev.

On Saturday, Wladimir Klitschko aka Dr. Steelhammer will once again try to defend all four titles. He will defend it against 33 years old Kubrat Pulev.

Kubrat Pulev (20-0, 11 KO) of Sofia, Bulgaria is a former Olympian. And Pulev looks like has the physical match — stands at six feet and four and half inches — against Klitschko.

Wlad has been dominating smaller opponents maximizing his height and reach advantage. I think Pulev, although two and half inches shorter, don’t have so much physical disadvantage. At 33, Pulev also is the younger man but of course has less experience and only has a total of 20 fights. Yet, Pulev has a solid amateur career that spans for 10 years from 1999 to 2009 and won the Bulgarian National Championships. Pulev then turns professional in September 2009.

My prediction

Although Pulev don’t have that much of physical disadvantage against Klitschko, but I think what will bother Pulev is Klitschko’s heavy jab. Klitschko possesses one of the greatest long-range jab in the Heavyweight division. Not just a jab. It’s a heavy and stinging jab.

I think in the early rounds Klitschko will establish the sting of his jabs against the more active Pulev. Tony Thompson, a southpaw, gave Pulev some trouble with his right jab to the head and body in the early rounds.

However, Pulev has a quick lead straight right hand that may go through the defense of Klitschko. But he should do it with a jab that will set his right hands; otherwise it will not be effective against an orthodox Klitschko. He might be beaten by the left jab from Klitschko if he throws the lead right.

Klitschko for sure will try to maximize the two and half height advantage against Pulev. He’ll fight tall. This is because he can’t do the same tactics he did against a smaller opponents like Povetkin. He’s hit-hug and bully style might not be effective, Pulev has the physical size and power during the clinch and close range fighting.

However, I think Klitschko’s punching power, which is being set up by his vaunted jab, will carry him towards the victory.